Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), Operator of OML 30 on behalf of the Joint Venture Partners NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL) and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited (SNRL), has facilitated the relocation of more than 100 residents from areas in close proximity to the reported gas bubbles in Uzere, Delta State. The precautionary intervention forms part of the Company’s commitment to safeguarding lives and protecting host communities while investigations into the occurrence continue.
The intervention was highlighted during a multi-agency visit to Uzere involving the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Delta State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian Red Cross Society, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the OML 30 Joint Venture Partners and other relevant stakeholders.
Speaking during the engagement, Heritage Energy’s Manager, Community Relations, Jeremiah Oharisi, reaffirmed the Company’s commitment to prioritising community safety and maintaining close collaboration with relevant stakeholders throughout the response.
“We have implemented precautionary measures to relocate residents in closest proximity to the identified areas, in collaboration with community leaders and the local government council to safeguard their wellbeing, while the necessary investigations continue to establish the nature and source of the reported gas activity,” Oharisi said.
“As the Operator and as an organisation with an established relationship with our host communities, we recognise that our responsibility to our neighbours extends beyond our operational activities. It is incumbent on us to stand with our communities and provide meaningful support, particularly in times of uncertainty and distress.”
Speaking during the engagement, Godwin Tepikor, Director, South South Directorate of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), commended Heritage Energy’s proactive engagement with the community and it’s intervention in relocating resident’s affected residents as a precautionary measure.He acknowledged the Company’s efforts, particularly the relocation initiative, and encouraged continued collaboration with the Delta State Emergency Management Agency (DESMA) and community representatives to address the concerns of additional residents seeking relocation.
Tepikor reaffirmed the Government’s responsibility to provide humanitarian support to citizens during emergencies, emphasising that assistance to affected residents should continue while investigations establish the source of the reported occurrence.
“The people affected are Nigerians and, as a government, we owe our people a duty of care to attend to them in times of need and distress,” he said.
On the technical front, Heritage Energy has sustained gas sampling, air quality assessments and monitoring across identified locations, supported by its emergency response team and dedicated fire department, which has five fire trucks.
To strengthen the technical investigation, the Company has also engaged independent technical specialists to analyse gas samples, additionally, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) facilitated the engagement of Norwegian technical experts, who visited Uzere to collect further samples for advanced isotope analysis to help establish the source and composition of the emissions
The community also acknowledged Heritage Energy’s intervention, particularly the relocation of affected residents to hotels within the town, while underscoring the importance of sustained engagement and support to address outstanding concern
Speaking on behalf of the community, Dr Uyomatere Ajirioghene commended the Company’s response, recognising its efforts to support residents and facilitate their relocation as investigations into the occurrence continue.
“In the course of this response, we have witnessed Heritage’s intervention and would like to acknowledge I want to thank them for what they have done so far, even if we have collectively agreed that it is not enough.”
The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Ovie of Uzere Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Isaac Udogri I, before proceeding to a town hall meeting with community members. The engagement provided an opportunity to hear community concerns, discuss emerging issues and strengthen stakeholder collaboration towards identifying and implementing coordinated measures to address the occurrence.
